Dr. Nuriye Niğdelioğlu Happani completed her bachelor’s degree in International Relations at Kadir Has University in 2010, followed by a master’s degree in International Management at the University of Wales, United Kingdom, in 2012. In 2021, she earned her PhD in International Relations from the Milli Savunma University (National Defence University), an institution established under the Turkish Ministry of National Defence. She holds the unique distinction of being the first woman to earn a doctoral degree from the National Defence University.

Reflecting her academic expertise in internationalization and project management throughout her professional career, Dr. Niğdelioğlu Happani worked at Istanbul Aydın University from 2014 to 2018, where she initiated bilateral academic cooperation agreements (MoUs) and ensured the university's global representation. During this period, she managed international student recruitment and significantly advanced the university’s internationalization by participating in the world’s most prestigious international education fairs, such as NAFSA and EAIE. From 2018 to 2019, she worked at Yeditepe University, where she strategically coordinated the Project Management Office (PMO) program, overseeing the application, execution, and budget tracking of Horizon 2020, Erasmus+, and Jean Monnet projects.

Dedication to humanitarian aid, refugee protection, social cohesion, and fostering cooperation between local governments and United Nations institutions forms a major part of her career. She served directly as a Project Coordinator for a  United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Project. Additionally, she played an active role in migration and refugee management for seven years, working on projects implemented in close collaboration with global organizations such as the UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women, and GIZ. Leading extensive efforts in close collaboration with 12 district municipalities in Istanbul, she drove initiatives in social protection, community mobilization, access to livelihoods, and strengthening dialogue between refugees and host communities. One of these projects achieved global recognition as a "good practice" under the Global Compact on Refugees.

In recognition of her long-term contributions to international development, local governance, and social impact, she was awarded the prestigious Social Action Award in 2024 by the British Council and the British Consulate General in Istanbul as part of the Study UK Alumni Awards.

As of January 2026, Dr. Nuriye Niğdelioğlu Happani serves as the Director of Internationalization, Data, and Sustainability at Biruni University, where she leads the institutional data management and analytical processes for major global university rankings, such as THE and QS.